(Portland, OR) – Here’s another preview for an upcoming Widmer Brothers Brewing release.

Based on the fact that they’ve sent it out to a number of beer media members, I’m going to venture a guess that Galaxy Hopped Barleywine will hit shelves this month. At the very least, the label indicates that this is a spring release. The brewery’s write-up:

Since 1984, Kurt and Rob Widmer have been dedicated to creating the deliciously American and European-style beers. The Brothers’ Reserve Series is a showcase fo their innovative skills and creative passion for craft brewing.

Galaxy Hopped Barleywine is a new take on an old favorite. This beer pours a dark crimson, almost mahogany color. The yeast and Galaxy hops(TM) deliver a big bang of red and yellow fruit aromatics like banana, pineapple, cherry and strawberry. The experience begins with a taste of toffee and darkened sweet caramel overlaid on subtle tones of vanilla. All to be punctuated by the floral and citrus dry hop character.

Galaxy hops were bred in 1994 by Hop Products Australia. This company owns a hop garden called Rostrevor in North Eastern Victoria where they were grown for the first time. It’s now grown in both Victoria and Tasmania. It is a cross between an Australian female and a male Perle hop.

Origin: Australia
Aroma/flavor: Pleasant, Citrus, Passionfruit
Alpha Acid: 13 – 14.8%
Typical Usage: Mostly bittering, although noted as a dual purpose. Could be used as flavoring hop as well.

Beer stats:

Bitterness: 60 IBU
ABV: 9.5%
Original Gravity: 24 Deg. Plato
Boxed 22 oz. bottles and draft